Don finds America

Subject: Don finds America
From: DonMeixner
Date: 20 Oct 02 - 12:47 PM

We took off on a trip to visit our daughter Rebekkah in Louisville, Kentucky and my wifes brother in Morganton, NC. And we succeded at both very well.

Rebekkah is struggling at colleege to be a teacher and a student at the same time and Steve is struggling to raise a family in the industrialized south. Rebekkah sees students every day who are clueless about living on their own but trying and succeeding in various degrees. Steve sees his friends and his jobs going south to Mexico and Mexicans coming north to take the jobs he can't afford to.

The disparity of living standards in both countries create a drain of talent from Mexico and a drain of work from the States.

But the people who are staying are taking on new skills and finding the way to move ahead.

Every where we went I saw people moving forward. New contruction replacing old. People out and about, rebuilding and building new. This was very evident in Louisville where the old city residences have been given a new life by restoration.

In Morganton I meet a man named Daniel Honeycutt who openned a music shop the very morning I walked through his door. Beautiful vintage Gibson accoustics and fine old Fender elctrics. He said he had to try it on his own. He was gonna tell everyone his first customer was from NY.

The words of war and sniper shootings were everywhere I looked. In the news stands and on the TV but when I was out in the city or the hills, or at The Crackerbarrell or the gas station the war was never mentioned. The sniper was surely on peoples minds as we traveled up through Virginia but not on the lips of people I talked too. Instead I heard people talking about their kids, the travel, the farm, the circus.

What I saw was a beautiful landscape and I meet universally friendly people. I saw people moving forward and if it was 100 steps forward and 99 back it was still a gain. And if the motion wasn't fast enough for some it was still moving.

I can't wait to go back.

Don

Subject: RE: Don finds America
From: Little Hawk
Date: 20 Oct 02 - 01:56 PM

Yes. America, when left to its own devices is a beautiful country with a lot of fine people.

- LH

Subject: RE: Don finds America
From: wysiwyg
Date: 20 Oct 02 - 01:57 PM

Come this way next time, Don! Hills full of amazing folk.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Don finds America
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Oct 02 - 02:24 PM

What a wonderful, uplifting treat, Don. Thank you.

Does this mean the North is jaded and/or not as dynamic as the South, or just different? Just wondering because of your comment about going back asap.

BTW, my son is moving back to New England, leaving ol' Loouhvl after eight years. So, at least I will have two of my kids near one another and won't feel guilty about going to see one and not the other!

Thanks, again, really lovely images,

kat

Subject: RE: Don finds America
From: Renegade
Date: 20 Oct 02 - 03:14 PM

Don: Indeed you did. And, in one brief post, you have captured our history. Better, you may have captured it in one line: the music shop owner had "to try it on his own". Isn't that our story?

Millions came to this country to do just that and more, to find something they couldn't find in their own homeland.

Our history is one of movement, from an Atlantic phase to a Pacific phase. And we've kept moving. Your post captured the spirit that is our heritage and our birthright.

I have just assumed a sales job, a travelling one. At my age, most sales dogs are coming off the road, but I'm just getting on. And I love the opportunity to see this great country. I just hope I'm as observant as you.

America, (spelled properly with a "c") despite its flaws, is still the "last best hope on earth", and the "land of the free and the home of the brave".

Thanks for the great post.
Bill

Subject: RE: Don finds America
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 20 Oct 02 - 05:24 PM

I had the pleasure of visiting Louisville some years ago, and I have to say that if I ever take up residence in the USA again( which is not beyond the bounds of possibility) it will be my number one town of choice.

Strangely enough,however, all the musicians I met there said that all the musical action in Kentucky happens in Berea. Which just goes to show, doesn't it?

Murray

Subject: RE: Don finds America
From: Little Hawk
Date: 20 Oct 02 - 06:31 PM

The last best hope on Earth is that people everywhere learn to treat others the way they would wish to be treated themselves.

Other than that, yes, America is a lovely place. There are free and brave people to be found in all nations, if you keep your eyes and your heart open.

- LH

Subject: RE: Don finds America
From: Deckman
Date: 21 Oct 02 - 05:13 AM

Hi Don, I also would like to add my appreciation of your thoughts. I'm out here on the West Coast, just a few miles North of Seattle. Your comments regarding the current economic struggles are certainly true here also. In fact, I'm finding it necessary to work 150 miles to Northeast right now, but it beautiful country and wonderful people. I do think one of the defining qualities of America is our spirit of independence. This is not just a cliche, but it's very real. And it dominates so much of the life I see around me. Again, best wishes and thanks for your observations. CHEERS, Bob(deckman)Nelson